Montpellier | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/montpellier-football-team
Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017Fri, 18 Aug 2017 06:03:26 GMT2017-08-18T06:03:26Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
Wolves closing in on club record £15.8m signing of Rúben Neves from Portohttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/05/transfer-roundup-huddersfield-sign-steve-mounie
• Nuno confirms he expects signing of Portugal midfielder to go ahead<br />• Huddersfield sign Benin striker Steve Mounié for club record £11.5m<p>Wolves are set to seal the £15.8m club record signing of Portugal midfielder Rúben Neves from Porto, manager Nuno has confirmed.</p><p>Neves, who became the youngest captain in Champions League history when he captained his boyhood club at the age of 18 years and 221 days in October 2015, played for Nuno during his spell at the club last season and is already believed to have agreed personal terms.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/05/alexandre-lacazette-arsenal-club-record-lyon">Alexandre Lacazette joins Arsenal for club record fee of £52.7m</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/19/jorge-mendes-wolves-influence-chinese-owners-signings">Jorge Mendes and Wolves: how deep does the agent’s influence run? | David Conn</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/05/premier-league-transfers-club-by-club-deals-targets-departures">Premier League transfers club by club: done deals, targets and likely departures</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/05/transfer-roundup-huddersfield-sign-steve-mounie">Continue reading...</a>Wolverhampton WanderersMontpellierTransfer windowFootballSportHuddersfieldPortoWed, 05 Jul 2017 17:50:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/05/transfer-roundup-huddersfield-sign-steve-mouniePhotograph: McManus/BPI/REX/ShutterstockPhotograph: McManus/BPI/REX/ShutterstockGuardian sport2017-07-05T17:50:00ZCelebrating Louis Nicollin, the fan who turned his club into Ligue 1 championshttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/04/louis-nicollin-montpellier-club-ligue-1-champions-owner
<p>‘Loulou’ made a fortune, bought fourth-tier Montpellier and took them to the title, all while teasing rivals, collecting 5,000 football shirts and hating Newcastle</p><p>By <a href="https://twitter.com/SamRooke89">Samuel Rooke</a> for <a href="http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/">Get French Football News</a>, of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/series/guardian-sport-network">Guardian Sport Network</a></p><p>“Montpellier champions of France? If I was Marseille, Paris, Lyon, Lille or Rennes, I’d stab myself in the arse with a sausage! What an embarrassment it would be for them.” The words of Montpellier president Louis Nicollin, a week before his club stunned the world by beating Paris Saint-Germain to the 2012 Ligue 1 title, summed up a true entertainer.</p><p>A sexagenarian sporting a mohawk does not always make front page news but when Nicollin underwent this capillary overhaul in the days following that seemingly impossible title win, also dyeing his hair in the club’s colours of orange and blue, it certainly did.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/21/corentin-tolisso-lyon-bayern-munich-transfer-record-bundesliga">Corentin Tolisso: the €41.5m player who broke Bayern Munich's transfer record | Eric Devin</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/19/claudio-ranieri-nantes-leicester-city-ligue-1">Claudio Ranieri has a new job: repeat the Leicester City miracle at Nantes</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/04/louis-nicollin-montpellier-club-ligue-1-champions-owner">Continue reading...</a>MontpellierLigue 1FootballEuropean club footballSportNewcastle UnitedTue, 04 Jul 2017 11:00:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/04/louis-nicollin-montpellier-club-ligue-1-champions-ownerPhotograph: Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty ImagesSamuel Rooke2017-07-04T11:00:39ZAfter 17 months out injured, Mickaël Le Bihan comes off the bench to rescue Nicehttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/27/mickael-le-bihan-nice-montpellier-ligue-1
<p>Nice were 1-0 down against Montpellier and in danger of falling behind their Ligue 1 title rivals until Mickaël Le Bihan scored two vital goals on his comeback</p><p>By <a href="https://twitter.com/FRfootballAdam">Adam White</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ericdevin_">Eric Devin</a> for <a href="http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/">Get French Football News</a><br></p><p>Nice did well to beat Lorient last weekend and keep pace with Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain in the title race, despite finishing the match with 10 men. Nice had lost to Lorient in the Coupe de France in January and Bernard Casoni has had Lorient in better goalscoring form since taking over in November. Wylan Cyprien scored an early goal, however, and that was all Nice needed to pick up three points on a weekend when Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain could only draw.</p><p>The dismissed player in last weekend’s match was, inevitably, Mario Balotelli. After a strong start to the season, Balotelli’s form has dropped off – he has accumulated more red cards (two) than goals (one) in his last five league starts – but, with Nice’s top scorer Alassane Pléa ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury, the team were desperately short of strikers for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAYVYrQHbYM">their match against Montpellier on Friday night</a>. Having brought in only the promising but untested winger Bassem Srarfi and the veteran midfielder Mounir Obbadi in January, Nice were left without an orthodox striker against Montpellier, who have won three of four matches since Jean-Louis Gasset replaced Frédéric Hantz last month.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/20/lille-marcelo-bielsa-ligue-1-marseille">Marcelo Bielsa is joining a Lille team that has been lost in transition for too long</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/24/bastia-mario-balotelli-racist-abuse-stadium-ban">Bastia handed three-match stadium ban for racist abuse of Mario Balotelli</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/27/mickael-le-bihan-nice-montpellier-ligue-1">Continue reading...</a>NiceLigue 1Paris Saint-GermainEuropean club footballFootballSportMario BalotelliBastiaMemphis DepayLorientMontpellierMon, 27 Feb 2017 12:52:38 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/27/mickael-le-bihan-nice-montpellier-ligue-1Photograph: Yann Coatsaliou/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Yann Coatsaliou/AFP/Getty ImagesAdam White and Eric Devin2017-02-27T12:52:38ZEurope’s unlikely heroes have lessons for Leicester and Claudio Ranieri | Amy Lawrencehttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/09/europe-leicester-claudio-ranieri-premier-league
<p>From Sampdoria through Deportivo La Coruña and Montpellier to Wolfsburg, first-time winners from across Europe share many traits in their title runs</p><p>Back in the rookie days of his coaching career, as a promising young manager taking his first foray into the dugouts of Serie A, the 1990-91 season was a voyage of considerable discovery for Claudio Ranieri. The then 38-year-old, just a handful of years into the job after starting out as a coach in amateur football, had made an impression guiding Cagliari to successive promotions from Serie C1 and into the top tier of the Italian game. Under those circumstances surviving, merely avoiding relegation, was a mission in itself. But that 1990-91 season in Serie A taught Ranieri an unforgettable lesson about football’s eternal sense of possibility.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/jun/25/sampdoria-1991-rob-smyth">The forgotten story of … Sampdoria's only scudetto | Rob Smyth</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/these-football-times/2016/feb/12/la-liga-unpedictable-league-deportivo-barcelona-real-madrid">When La Liga was just as unpredictable as this season's Premier League</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/09/europe-leicester-claudio-ranieri-premier-league">Continue reading...</a>Leicester CityPremier LeagueSampdoriaDeportivo La CoruñaMontpellierWolfsburgSerie ALa LigaLigue 1BundesligaEuropean club footballFootballSportSat, 09 Apr 2016 10:05:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/09/europe-leicester-claudio-ranieri-premier-leaguePhotograph: Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty ImagesAmy Lawrence2016-04-09T10:05:00ZHatem Ben Arfa nets fifth goal in three games as Nice end Rennes’ runhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/18/hatem-ben-arfa-nice-rennes-ligue1-roundup
• Marseille’s winless sequence extended to five games with Lorient draw<br />• Bordeaux frustrated by Montpellier in goalless stalemate<br /><br /><p>Hatem Ben Arfa scored his fifth goal in three matches as <strong>Nice</strong> claimed a 4-1 victory and ended <strong>Rennes</strong>’ eight-match unbeaten run to move up to fifth in Ligue 1.</p><p>Mathieu Bodmer opened the scoring for the visitors after 14 minutes as he slotted Wallyson Mallmann’s header into the bottom corner for his first goal of the season at Roazhon Park. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/09/hatem-ben-arfa-signs-nice-newcastle-hull" title="">Ben Arfa found the bottom corner</a> from a tight angle after 53 minutes to make it 2-0.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/18/hatem-ben-arfa-nice-rennes-ligue1-roundup">Continue reading...</a>NiceFootballRennesMarseilleLorientBordeauxMontpellierEuropean club footballLigue 1SportSun, 18 Oct 2015 22:28:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/18/hatem-ben-arfa-nice-rennes-ligue1-roundupPhotograph: Jean-Sebastien Evrard/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Jean-Sebastien Evrard/AFP/Getty ImagesPress Association2015-10-18T22:28:49ZMontpellier 0-1 Paris Saint-Germain | Ligue 1 match reporthttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/21/montpellier-paris-saint-germain-ligue-1-match-report
<p>Paris Saint-Germain eased to a 1-0 win at Montpellier to maintain their 100% start to Ligue 1 as they seek <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/16/psg-win-ligue-1-title-victory-at-montpellier" title="">a fourth successive title</a>.</p><p>Blaise Matuidi scored the only goal just after the hour to make it three wins out of three for PSG, who moved three points ahead of Reims and Caen. PSG also had two goals disallowed for offside.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/21/montpellier-paris-saint-germain-ligue-1-match-report">Continue reading...</a>Ligue 1MontpellierParis Saint-GermainEuropean club footballFootballSportFri, 21 Aug 2015 21:46:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/21/montpellier-paris-saint-germain-ligue-1-match-reportPhotograph: Philippe Laurenson/ReutersParis Saint-Germain's Blaise Matuidi celebrates after scoring against Montpellier in Ligue 1. Photograph: Philippe Laurenson/ReutersPhotograph: Philippe Laurenson/ReutersParis Saint-Germain's Blaise Matuidi celebrates after scoring against Montpellier in Ligue 1. Photograph: Philippe Laurenson/ReutersAssociated Press2015-08-21T21:46:55ZPSG clinch third successive Ligue 1 title with victory at Montpellierhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/16/psg-win-ligue-1-title-victory-at-montpellier
<p>Paris Saint-Germain made up for another European failure by clinching their third Ligue 1 title in a row on Saturday after a tense season as they took the second step towards what would be an unprecedented domestic treble.</p><p>PSG lifted the title after winning 2-1 at Montpellier while their nearest challengers Olympique Lyonnais were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Girondins Bordeaux. The Parisians have 80 points, with Lyon on 72, with one round of matches left.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/16/psg-win-ligue-1-title-victory-at-montpellier">Continue reading...</a>Ligue 1Paris Saint-GermainMontpellierEuropean club footballFootballSportSat, 16 May 2015 21:05:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/16/psg-win-ligue-1-title-victory-at-montpellierPhotograph: Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty ImagesParis Saint-Germain players congratulate their midfielder Blaise Matuidi, cente, after he scored against Montpellier. Photograph: Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty ImagesParis Saint-Germain players congratulate their midfielder Blaise Matuidi, cente, after he scored against Montpellier. Photograph: Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty ImagesReuters2015-05-16T21:05:20ZGuingamp’s Benjamin Angoua knocks red card out of referee’s handhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/28/angoua-guingamp-referee-red-card
• Referee was attempting to send off goalkeeper<br />• Benjamin Angoua took matters into his own hands<br />• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/15/fifa-94-allan-nyom-granada-run-avoid-booking" title="">Player runs away from referee to avoid card </a><p>When Philippe Kalt reached for his red card, ready to dismiss Guingamp goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa in the 89th minute of their Ligue 1 game at Montpellier, several team-mates rushed to intervene. Nothing new there – but Ivorian defender Benjamin Angoua took the protests to new levels by attempting to knock the red card clean out of Kalt’s grasp.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/28/angoua-guingamp-referee-red-card">Continue reading...</a>GuingampMontpellierEuropean club footballLigue 1FootballSportSun, 28 Sep 2014 13:24:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/28/angoua-guingamp-referee-red-cardPhotograph: Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty ImagesMontpellier's Victor Hugo Montano gave Montpellier a late lead, before Guingamp's goalkeeper was sent off for dissent and team-mate Angoura intervened.Photograph: Sylvain Thomas/AFP/Getty ImagesMontpellier's Victor Hugo Montano gave Montpellier a late lead, before Guingamp's goalkeeper was sent off for dissent and team-mate Angoura intervened.Guardian sport2014-09-28T13:24:07ZTottenham secure deal to sign Benjamin Stambouli from Montpellierhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/29/tottenham-benjamin-stambouli-montpellier
• French defensive midfielder heads to London for Spurs medical<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/29/europa-league-draw-everton-tottenham-celtic" title="">• Tottenham drawn with Besiktas, Partizan Belgrade and Asteras</a><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/29/mauricio-pochettino-mario-balotelli-tottenham-liverpool" title="">• Pochettino plays down Balotelli impact before Liverpool match</a><p>Tottenham Hotspur have reached agreement with Montpellier to sign the defensive midfielder Benjamin Stambouli.</p><p>The 24-year-old former France Under-21 international is heading to England to have a medical.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/29/tottenham-benjamin-stambouli-montpellier">Continue reading...</a>Tottenham HotspurMontpellierTransfer windowEuropean club footballFootballSportFri, 29 Aug 2014 19:44:42 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/29/tottenham-benjamin-stambouli-montpellierPhotograph: Philippe Laurenson/ReutersThe former France Under-21 international Benjamin Stambouli is set to join Tottenham. Photograph: Philippe Laurenson/ReutersPhotograph: Philippe Laurenson/ReutersThe former France Under-21 international Benjamin Stambouli is set to join Tottenham. Photograph: Philippe Laurenson/ReutersPress Association2014-08-29T19:44:42ZNewcastle United sign Rémy Cabella from Montpellier on six-year dealhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/13/newcastle-united-sign-remy-cabella
• Attacking midfielder will excite fans, says Alan Pardew<br />• Cabella is Newcastle’s fourth signing of the summer<p>Rémy Cabella has completed his move to Newcastle. The club confirmed on Sunday night that the 24-year-old had signed a six-year contract after joining from the French club Montpellier for an undisclosed fee.</p><p>Cabella, who has been in Newcastle’s sights since they tried to sign him as a replacement for Yohan Cabaye in January, becomes Alan Pardew’s fourth summer acquisition after Siem de Jong, Jack Colback and Ayoze Pérez.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/13/newcastle-united-sign-remy-cabella">Continue reading...</a>Newcastle UnitedTransfer windowMontpellierFootballSportMon, 14 Jul 2014 00:36:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/13/newcastle-united-sign-remy-cabellaPhotograph: David Vincent/APRemy Cabella, left, seen here at World Cup training with France, has signed for Newcastle United. Photograph: David Vincent/APPhotograph: David Vincent/APRemy Cabella, left, seen here at World Cup training with France, has signed for Newcastle United. Photograph: David Vincent/APPress Association2014-07-14T00:36:00ZNewcastle United close to signing Montpellier midfielder Rémy Cabellahttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/12/newcastle-united-remy-cabella-montpellier
• 24-year-old seen as ideal replacement for Yohan Cabaye<br />• Right-back Daryl Janmaat also a target for Alan Pardew<p>Newcastle United’s eight-month pursuit of Rémy Cabella is drawing to a close. The 24-year-old Montpellier midfielder, who was part of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/world-cup-2014" title="">France’s World Cup squad</a>, is expected to interrupt a holiday in Corsica to undergo a medical on Tyneside on Monday and finalise personal terms.</p><p>Reports in France claim Newcastle will pay £12m for Cabella – a sum that may disappoint Mike Ashley, the club’s owner, who originally had a much more modest figure in mind.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/12/newcastle-united-remy-cabella-montpellier">Continue reading...</a>Newcastle UnitedMontpellierFranceTransfer windowAlan PardewFootballEuropean club footballSportSat, 12 Jul 2014 14:29:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jul/12/newcastle-united-remy-cabella-montpellierPhotograph: John Sibley/Action ImagesMontpellier midfielder Rémy Cabella was part of France's World Cup squad in Brazil. Photograph: John Sibley/Action ImagesPhotograph: John Sibley/Action ImagesMontpellier midfielder Rémy Cabella was part of France's World Cup squad in Brazil. Photograph: John Sibley/Action ImagesLouise Taylor2014-07-12T14:29:04ZMontpellier raise asking price for Newcastle target Rémy Cabellahttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/30/remy-cabella-newcastle-montpellier-raise-price
• French side want £12m for playmaker after initial £7m offer<br />• Cabella earmarked as direct replacement for Yohan Cabaye<p>Rémy Cabella’s proposed move to Newcastle United from Montpellier has hit a snag after the French club raised their asking price to around £12m.</p><p>The Tynesiders believed their £7m offer had been accepted in principle but now Alan Pardew faces an anxious wait to see if his board are willing to haggle and whether a compromise can be reached. It is understood Cabella has told his Ligue One employers he is determined to leave and that he is very interested in relocating to north-east England.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/30/remy-cabella-newcastle-montpellier-raise-price">Continue reading...</a>Newcastle UnitedTransfer windowFootballSportAlan PardewMontpellierFri, 30 May 2014 19:06:43 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/30/remy-cabella-newcastle-montpellier-raise-pricePhotograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesNewcastle United have made Montpellier midfielder Rémy Cabella their primary transfer target this summer. Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesNewcastle United have made Montpellier midfielder Rémy Cabella their primary transfer target this summer. Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesLouise Taylor2014-05-30T19:06:43ZNewcastle United close to signing Rémy Cabella from Montpellier at £7mhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/30/newcastle-united-remy-cabella-montpellier-playmaker
<p>• Cabella scored 14 goals in 41 Ligue One games last season<br>• 24-year-old seen as ideal replacement for Yohan Cabaye</p><p>Rémy Cabella is close to completing a move to Newcastle United from Montpellier for around £7m. Alan Pardew regards the 24-year-old playmaker as an ideal replacement for Yohan Cabaye who was sorely missed at St James’ Park after his £20m move to Paris Saint-Germain in January.</p><p>Newcastle’s manager tried and failed to sign Cabella during that transfer window but now it seems a player currently on Didier Deschamps’ standby list for the Brazil-bound France World Cup squad really could be heading towards Tyneside.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/30/newcastle-united-remy-cabella-montpellier-playmaker">Continue reading...</a>Newcastle UnitedMontpellierTransfer windowLigue 1European club footballFootballSportFri, 30 May 2014 16:49:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/30/newcastle-united-remy-cabella-montpellier-playmakerPhotograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesFrance midfielder Rémy Cabella has been linked to a move to Newcastle United from Montpellier. Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesFrance midfielder Rémy Cabella has been linked to a move to Newcastle United from Montpellier. Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty ImagesLouise Taylor2014-05-30T16:49:36ZLigue 1 round-up: Lille lose ground with home defeat by Reimshttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/12/ligue-1-round-up-lille-reims
• Lille now seven points behind Paris Saint-Germain<br />• Marseille in fifth place after 2-1 win at Evian<p>Lille missed the chance to move into second place in Ligue 1 by slipping to a 2-1 home defeat against Reims.</p><p>The right-winger, Odair Fortes, scored with a fortuitous deflected shot in the 73rd minute and the midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak made it 2-0 three minutes later when he headed in at the back post. Lille replied in the 89th when the centre-half Anthony Weber headed into his own net.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/12/ligue-1-round-up-lille-reims">Continue reading...</a>Ligue 1LilleMonacoMontpellierParis Saint-GermainSt EtienneMarseilleEuropean club footballFootballSportReimsSun, 12 Jan 2014 23:57:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/12/ligue-1-round-up-lille-reimsPhotograph: Denis Charlet/AFP/Getty ImagesGrzegorz Krychowiak celebrates after scoring Reims' second goal against Lille. Photograph: Denis Charlet/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Denis Charlet/AFP/Getty ImagesGrzegorz Krychowiak celebrates after scoring Reims' second goal against Lille. Photograph: Denis Charlet/AFP/Getty ImagesAssociated Press2014-01-12T23:57:00ZParis Saint-Germain rally to draw with 10-man Montpellierhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/09/maxwell-paris-saint-germain-montpellier
• Montpellier 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain<br />• Edinson Cavani makes debut for French champions<p>Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to draw 1-1 against Montpellier at La Mosson on Friday night in the opening match of Ligue 1 defence in France.</p><p>Remy Cabella put Montpellier into the lead in controversial circumstances during the 10th minute after Zlatan Ibrahimovic appeared to be fouled in the build-up to the goal. Maxwell equalised 15 minutes into the second half to ensure that the new PSG coach, Laurent Blanc, avoided defeat in his first competitive game in charge.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/09/maxwell-paris-saint-germain-montpellier">Continue reading...</a>Ligue 1Paris Saint-GermainMontpellierFootballEuropean club footballSportFri, 09 Aug 2013 22:19:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/09/maxwell-paris-saint-germain-montpellierPhotograph: Franck Pennant/AFP/Getty ImagesParis Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani looks rueful during his team's opening-day draw with Montpellier. Photograph: Franck Pennant/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Franck Pennant/AFP/Getty ImagesParis Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani looks rueful during his team's opening-day draw with Montpellier. Photograph: Franck Pennant/AFP/Getty ImagesAssociated Press2013-08-09T22:19:00ZLigue 1 preview: PSG and Monaco set for billionaires' battle royale | Paul Doylehttps://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/aug/08/ligue-1-paris-saint-germain-monaco
Laurent Blanc must show he can evolve quickly as he takes on task of leading PSG to another Ligue 1 title<p>When Laurent Blanc confirmed the end of Lyon's hegemony by <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2009/jun/01/bordeaux-laurent-blanc-french-football" title="">leading Bordeaux to the Ligue 1 title in 2009</a>, an era dawned in which France enjoyed the most open of all Europe's main leagues. Now Blanc must prove that brief era is over and that French football has entered a new age in which the top of the table is reserved for billionaires, meaning just two clubs – Paris Saint-Germain and the new rich kids on the block, Monaco. The past five seasons in Ligue 1 have produced five different winners but now and for the forseeable future there are only two contenders.</p><p>By chance the fixture list has ruled that the Ligue 1 season will kick off on Friday with a clash of the last two champions but PSG versus Montpellier is not a peer group meeting and, regardless of the result, it is nigh-on impossible to imagine Montpellier finishing above the club from the capital this term.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/aug/08/ligue-1-paris-saint-germain-monaco">Continue reading...</a>Ligue 1Paris Saint-GermainMonacoBordeauxLyonMontpellierEuropean club footballFootballSportThu, 08 Aug 2013 12:44:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/aug/08/ligue-1-paris-saint-germain-monacoPhotograph: Lionel Cironneau/APEdinson Cavani, left, and Radamel Falcao are big-money arrivals in Ligue 1 this season at PSG and Monaco respectively. Photograph: Lionel Cironneau/APPhotograph: Lionel Cironneau/APEdinson Cavani, left, and Radamel Falcao are big-money arrivals in Ligue 1 this season at PSG and Monaco respectively. Photograph: Lionel Cironneau/APPaul Doyle2013-08-08T12:44:58ZMontpellier compete with Qatari club Al-Gharafa for Djibril Cisséhttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jun/17/djibril-cisse-montpellier-algharafa-qpr
• QPR offloading former French international after relegation<br /><em>• </em>Montpellier hoping to lure<em> </em>Cissé back to his homeland<p>Montpellier, the deposed French champions, will compete with Al-Gharafa for the signature of Djibril Cissé as Queens Park Rangers seek to offload the former France international after relegation to the Championship.</p><p>Cissé, who moved to Loftus Road from Lazio for £4m in January 2012, spent the second half of last season on loan at the Qatari club. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jun/12/djibril-cisse-qpr-al-gharafa" title="">Al-Gharafa are attempting to structure a permanent transfer</a> for when the 31-year-old's loan spell expires on 30 June. QPR are receptive to a deal but Montpellier, who won the French league title in 2012 and finished ninth this time, have expressed an interest in returning the player to his homeland.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jun/17/djibril-cisse-montpellier-algharafa-qpr">Continue reading...</a>MontpellierEuropean club footballQPRTransfer windowFootballSportMon, 17 Jun 2013 16:36:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jun/17/djibril-cisse-montpellier-algharafa-qprPhotograph: Jonathan Brady/PADjibril Cissé is being competed for by Montpellier and the Qatari club Al-Gharafa, now he is leaving QPR. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PAPhotograph: Jonathan Brady/PADjibril Cissé is being competed for by Montpellier and the Qatari club Al-Gharafa, now he is leaving QPR. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PADominic Fifield2013-06-17T16:36:00ZNorthampton have a tough task against Castres, says Jim Mallinderhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/jan/10/northampton-castres-jim-mallinder
• Saints hoping to make Heineken Cup knockout stages<br />• Sale select Bill Beaumont's son, Josh, against Montpellier<p>Northampton, a side who have made do-or-die something of a trademark when it comes to the Heineken Cup, spent Thursday poring over the hand they have been dealt this time around and bracing themselves for another cliffhanger against&nbsp;Castres.</p><p>"We are just about playing knockout rugby, so getting the win is all that matters," their director of rugby, Jim Mallinder, said before announcing a team with four changes from the starting XV who somehow went to Belfast and beat Ulster to keep their lifeline intact in the last round of games in Europe.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/jan/10/northampton-castres-jim-mallinder">Continue reading...</a>NorthamptonHeineken Cup 2012-13CastresHeineken CupSaleMontpellierRugby unionSportThu, 10 Jan 2013 21:53:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/jan/10/northampton-castres-jim-mallinderPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesThe England flanker Tom Wood returns to a rejigged back row for Northampton's Heineken Cup game against Castres. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesPhotograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesThe England flanker Tom Wood returns to a rejigged back row for Northampton's Heineken Cup game against Castres. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty ImagesMike Averis2013-01-10T21:53:00ZTottenham rival Fenerbahce in race to sign Younès Belhandahttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jan/08/tottenham-fenerbahce-younes-belhanda-montpellier
• Montpellier confirm midfielder is for sale at £12m<br />• Spurs expected to renew interest after bid from Turkey<p>Tottenham Hotspur are expected to rival Fenerbahce for the signature of the highly-rated Montpellier midfielder Younès Belhanda after the French club's president, Louis Nicollin, confirmed he would allow the player to depart this month at the right price.</p><p>Belhanda was a key member of the French title-winning side in 2011-12 and, although his form has not been quite as impressive in a struggling team this season, Spurs were interested in him last summer and are understood still to be keen. The Morocco international, who is preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, plays as an attacking central midfielder or on the wing and would be attracted to the idea of a move to the Premier League.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jan/08/tottenham-fenerbahce-younes-belhanda-montpellier">Continue reading...</a>Tottenham HotspurMontpellierFenerbahçeFootballSportTransfer windowTue, 08 Jan 2013 21:19:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jan/08/tottenham-fenerbahce-younes-belhanda-montpellierPhotograph: Claude Paris/Associated PressTottenham are understood to be keen on signing Montpellier's Morocco midfielder Younès Belhanda. Photograph: Claude Paris/Associated PressPhotograph: Claude Paris/Associated PressTottenham are understood to be keen on signing Montpellier's Morocco midfielder Younès Belhanda. Photograph: Claude Paris/Associated PressDominic Fifield2013-01-08T21:19:49Z2012: A year in football … starring Lionel Messi, tiki-taka and a whole raft of racism rows – videohttps://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2012/dec/28/2012-football-messi-racism-video
From Chelsea's obdurate and unlikely win in the Champions League to the mercurial continuance of Spain's tiki-taka footballing dominance in the international game, 2012 has been an interesting year for football. While sports fans in the UK basked in the goody-two-shoes glow of the Olympics, football contrasted the national mood with racism rows, crowd violence and the general demeanour of Mario Balotelli. Things were not all doom and gloom though, Manchester City's last-minute pickpocketing of the Premier League from Manchester United was about as close and exciting as a sporting competition can get and any year that featured Lionel Messi scoring his 72nd goal in a season and Cristiano Ronaldo hitting more than 60 is a year worth remembering <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2012/dec/28/2012-football-messi-racism-video">Continue reading...</a>FootballRobin van PersieJohn TerryLionel MessiDidier DrogbaSir Alex FergusonRafael BenítezRoberto Di MatteoRoy HodgsonFabio CapelloManchester UnitedAtlético MadridMontpellierTottenham HotspurParis Saint-GermainBorussia DortmundAjaxItalyZambiaIvory CoastSpainChelseaRangersEnglandManchester CityChampions LeaguePremier LeagueSportFri, 28 Dec 2012 15:17:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2012/dec/28/2012-football-messi-racism-videoPhotograph: Oli Scarff/Getty ImagesFrom Chelsea's obdurate and unlikely win in the Champions League to the mercurial continuance of Spain's Tiki-taka footballing dominance in the international game, 2012 has been an interesting enough year for football Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Oli Scarff/Getty ImagesFrom Chelsea's obdurate and unlikely win in the Champions League to the mercurial continuance of Spain's Tiki-taka footballing dominance in the international game, 2012 has been an interesting enough year for football Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty ImagesRoberto di Matteo2012-12-28T15:17:00Z